15 Cant-Miss Shows in Seattle This Fall

Seattle is home to arguably one of the best music scenes in the country, known for being the birthplace of grunge and having bred bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden. In addition to those grunge-era heavyweights, the city has produced an impressive roster of big-name artists from just about every other genre, from rockers like Jimi Hendrix and the Foo Fighters, to indie bands like Modest Mouse and Death Cab for Cutie, to polarizing rappers like Sir Mix-a-Lot and Macklemore. That kind of diversity makes for a very eclectic music scene, so there is always a great variety of concerts to attend in the city at any given time. We’ve picked some of the best shows happening in Seattle this fall, and included artist bios, ticket links and pricing information, live concert videos, and more to help you make an informed decision about attending any of them. If you aren’t into any of our picks, check out more upcoming concerts in Seattle. There’s sure to be something for everyone.

Dan Deacon is an electronic musician based in Baltimore, Maryland. He released his first recordings in 2003, and since then has put out several successful and critically acclaimed albums, but he is perhaps best known for his engaging live performances (check out the “True Thrush” video below – audience participation galore). Deacon’s latest effort, Glass Riffer, came out this February.

The Who, considered one of the all-time greatest rock bands, will be making an appearance in Seattle this month as part of their 50th anniversary tour. With the classic lineup of Roger Daltrey on lead vocals, Pete Townshend on guitar, Keith Moon on drums, and John Entwistle on bass, The Who has been regarded as a legendary rock band for decades, playing a key part in the British Invasion of the 1960s. Despite the tragic losses of Moon and Entwistle over the years, The Who still remains active today with Daltrey and Townshend continuing to write and perform music. In 2014, they released the hits compilation album The Who Hits 50, which included the band’s first new material in nearly a decade.

My Morning Jacket formed in the late ’90s in Louisville, KY. Led by frontman Jim James, whose ethereal voice and incredible range are impressive to say the least, the band is known for their amazing live performances. Though rooted in alt-country and rock, My Morning Jacket often delves into different genres and experiments with their sound. The band just released their new album, titled The Waterfall, this May.

This year, Grammy-nominated alternative rock band Death Cab For Cutie is back with their first album in four years, Kintsugi. Despite the recent amicable departure of lead guitarist and founding band member Chris Walla, the band remains intact with frontman Ben Gibbard still at the helm after all these years. Known for earnest lyrics across several stunning and emotional albums, highlights of which include 2003’s Transatlanticism and its 2005 follow-up Plans, Death Cab For Cutie has made an indelible mark on indie rock history. Seattleites get a few chances to see them this fall, as they’ll be be playing three hometown shows at the Paramount Theatre in early October.

The one and only Neil Young has joined forces with LA rock band Promise of the Real, and they recently released a new album together called The Monsanto Years. Promise of the Real is the band of Lukas and Micah Nelson (the sons of country legend Willie Nelson), both of whom have performed with Neil Young many times in the past.

Sweden’s Tove Lo gained attention in 2013 when her breakthrough electropop single “Habits” reached number three on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. The song became even more popular and saw more international exposure when it was remixed by American production duo Hippie Sabotage. Her rapid success later earned her a spot opening for Katy Perry on her Prismatic World Tour, and she has since been a regular fixture on pop radio. In September 2014 she released her debut album Queen of the Clouds, which is her first full-length record.

Former Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash went solo back in 2008 and has since released three solo albums. His latest two records were recorded with Myles Kennedy of Alter Bridge and Brent Fitz and Todd Kerns, known as The Conspirators. Slash, along with Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators, released the album Apocalyptic Love in 2012, followed by World on Fire in 2014.

Glasgow-based synthpop trio Chvrches mercifully stylizes their name with a V in order to make it easier to search for them on the internet (thanks, guys). The group formed in 2011 and is comprised of vocalist Lauren Mayberry along with keyboardists Iain Cook and Martin Doherty. In 2012, the band’s songs “The Mother We Share” and “Lies” earned them some buzz around the internet, leading to the chance to open shows for Passion Pit on their U.K. tour. Chvrches later finished fifth in BBC’s prestigious Sound of 2013 poll, and that same year released their acclaimed debut album, The Bones of What You Believe. The band recently announced their sophomore album, Every Open Eye, which is due out September 25.

English indie rock band alt-J, named for the Mac keyboard shortcut for the delta symbol, have one of the most unique sounds of any band to emerge in the last few years. Their experimental style combines elements of folk, electronica, and traditional alternative rock among other influences. Their debut album exemplified just how well-rounded the band is, with a collection of very sonically different songs spanning multiple genres. alt-J’s sophomore album, This Is All Yours, came out in 2014 and was met favorably by fans and critics alike. The new record shot to #1 in the U.K. and earned the band their first Grammy nomination.

Philadelphia-based musician Kurt Vile rose to prominence as a former member of the indie rock band The War on Drugs. After the band released their debut album in 2008, Vile left the group to focus on a solo career, wasting no time to issue his first solo record within that same year. He released another album after that and soon signed with the distinguished indie label Matador Records, through which he released his three latest albums. The band will soon be releasing theier latest record, b’lieve i’m goin (deep) down…, which is slated for a September 25 release.

Alternative rock band The Neighbourhood made themselves known back in 2012 with their genre-defying combination of rock and hip hop beats. That year they released two EPs, I’m Sorry… and Thank You, both of which preceded their 2013 debut album I Love You. Soon, their catchy single “Sweater Weather” shot to the top of the Billboard alternative chart, spending several weeks at the #1 spot. The Neighbourhood will be releasing their sophomore album Wiped Out! on October 30.

High school friends Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun formed Twenty One Pilots in 2009 in Columbus, Ohio. They put out two self-released albums before their grassroots efforts paid off and they signed with alternative rock label Fueled By Ramen. They released their first label-issued album called Vessel in 2013, after which they took their rap-infused pop sound on tour internationally. This year, Twenty One Pilots released a new record called Blurryface.

Though it sounds like a band, Marina and the Diamonds is really just Marina Diamandis. She came onto the scene in 2009 with her debut single “Obsessions,” which earned her popularity in the U.K. As a rising talent, Diamandis was quick to dismiss comparisons between herself and other emerging British female artists at the time, wanting to be recognized as an individual rather than being grouped together with other singers she felt she had nothing in common with musically. The last few years have seen her release three successful albums, the latest of which dropped this year.

Florence + The Machine, led by vocal powerhouse Florence Welch, rose to popularity with the release of their debut studio album Lungs in 2009. Lungs quickly became one of the best-selling albums of that year, and their singles were used in a number of movies and television shows, garnering more exposure for the band. Their rising mainstream success paved the way for several awards and recognitions, including a nomination for a 2011 Grammy Award for Best New Artist. Their second full-length album, Ceremonials, also earned them two Grammy nominations in 2013. This year, the band released their third album, titled How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful.

Last time I saw Mac Demarco perform, highlights from his set included camouflage overalls, crowd surfing, and an ironically weak attempt at a Coldplay cover, so you can expect just about anything from this Canadian goofball when he comes to Seattle next month. Though known for his stage antics, Demarco’s music alone is reason enough to see him. He’s a great guitarist with quite the voice and a talent for songwriting, having earned the attention and respect of some of the biggest music critics out there, so he’s one artist you should definitely check out.

Past Concerts in Seattle

Even if you’ve been living under a rock without an internet connection for the last few years, chances are you’re probably still familiar with One Direction. They’re undoubtedly the biggest boy band in the world right now, with throngs of screaming preteen fans all across the globe. Even with the recent departure of band member Zayn Malik, which left plenty of young fans heartbroken and in tears, 1D is still setting out on their On the Road Again Tour this summer. The boys are touring after having recently released a fourth album, the oh-so-creatively titled Four, which came out in 2014. If you’ve got kids, or if 1D is your secret guilty pleasure (we won’t tell anyone), get your tickets NOW for their show at CenturyLink Field on July 15.

On Sunday, July 19, legendary rock band Rush is making a stop at Seattle’s Key Arena as part of their R40 Live 40th Anniversary Tour. After some hesitation as to whether or not to tour this year, the band decided to give it a go, and their 2015 tour is now underway. Celebrating 40 years as a band, Rush will be playing hits from their extensive catalog that spans the last four decades. The band announced that this will be their last tour of this magnitude, so now may be your last chance to see them!

Well-known rock band Blondie emerged in the 1970s as a part of the famed New York City punk rock scene. Known for hard-edged hit singles like “One Way Or Another,” “Call Me,” and “Heart of Glass,” Blondie achieved more mainstream success than their contemporaries at the time, thanks to a more accessible sound and the mass appeal of frontwoman Debbie Harry. Last year, Blondie released a new album called Ghosts of Download, after which they embarked on a worldwide 40th anniversary tour.

Best known as the frontman of the beloved ’80s indie band The Smiths, Morrissey is one of the most renowned vocalists out there today, and is often regarded as one of the most influential musicians and lyricists of the last century. The Smiths were so successful partly due to Morrissey’s relatable and often cynical lyrics, which conveyed themes like anxiety, isolation, and romantic frustration that resonated with a wide audience. After the breakup of The Smiths in 1987, Morrissey carried on with a solo career, which commenced with the release of his album Viva Hate in 1988. He has since released nine more studio albums and to this day remains one of the biggest names in the music industry. His solo sets are spectacular, and he’s known to throw in some deeper cuts from the Smiths’ catalogue, so as long as you can tolerate his “Meat Is Murder” message, he is definitely one performer you won’t want to miss.

During the band’s beginnings in the late 1980s, Jane’s Addiction piqued the interest of several record labels before signing with Warner Bros. in 1988. That year they released their debut studio album, Nothing’s Shocking. The album did well enough, but its 1990 follow-up, Ritual de lo Habitual, was the band’s real commercial breakthrough. After releasing the record, the band went on an extensive tour, which included a headlining performance at the first-ever Lollapalooza festival, which was famously co-founded by the group’s frontman Perry Farrell. Jane’s Addiction has had its ups, downs, breakups and reunions over the years, but nonetheless came back strong in 2011 to release their latest album, The Great Escape Artist. Though they have only released four studio albums to date, Jane’s Addiction has still established a lasting legacy as one of the most influential alternative rock bands of the late twentieth century.

Australian pop rock band 5 Seconds of Summer is currently in the middle of their headlining Rock Out With Your Socks Out Tour. Formed in 2011 in Sydney, the group consists of vocalist Luke Hemmings, guitarist Michael Clifford, bassist Calum Hood, and drummer Ashton Irwin. They originally came to attention on YouTube, but achieved international fame when they were given the opportunity to tour with One Direction back in 2013. Thus far, the group has released one album, a self-titled effort that came out last year.

Charli XCX and Jack Antonoff (the man behind Bleachers, and also a member of the band fun.) are bringing their catchy pop tunes to Seattle this summer as part of their co-headlining tour called Charli and Jack Do America. They’re guaranteed to give fans a night full of fun when they come to the city on July 25. As if these two acts weren’t enough pop goodness, they’ll be joined by like-minded opening act B∅RNS.

As the lead singer for the iconic The Staple Singers, Mavis Staples is recognized as a leading voice in rhythm and blues and Gospel music. She first began recording as a solo artist in 1969, releasing a self-titled debut album that year. In 2011, Staples won her first Grammy Award for her album titled You Are Not Alone, produced by Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy. Two years later she teamed up with Tweedy again and released her latest album, One True Vine.

After spending six years as a member of the Southern rock band Drive-By Truckers, singer/guitarist Jason Isbell stepped out as a solo artist in 2007. The Alabama native issued his debut album, Sirens of the Ditch, earlier that year. He has since released three more well-received studio albums, the most recent of which, titled Southeastern, came out in 2013. Isbell is now set to release his fifth studio album, Something More Than Free, in mid-July.

Calling all lonely Starbucks lovers: Taylor Swift is coming to CenturyLink Field in August as part of her highly anticipated 1989 World Tour. Swift recently left her country roots behind only to emerge as a full-fledged pop singer. Having begun as a country artist, she was able to effortlessly cross over into the mainstream over the years by moving closer to a poppier sound with each album release. Her transition into a bona fide pop star is now complete, as evidenced by her latest album, 1989, which is chock-full of catchy, radio-friendly hits like the smash singles “Shake It Off” and “Blank Space.” With multiple Grammy Awards, platinum album sales, a number of film and television roles, a ubiquitous presence on Top 40 radio stations, and nearly as many Twitter followers as Barack Obama, there’s no doubt that Swift has become one of the biggest stars of our time. Haters gonna hate hate hate, but it looks like that’s not about to change anytime soon.

British indie rock band The Vaccines just released their third studio album, English Graffiti, this May. Formed in 2010 in London, the band quickly rose to fame within the next year when they released their debut album What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?, which became one of the best-selling debut albums of 2011. Their straightforward indie rock approach appealed to the massive fan bases of likeminded bands like The Strokes, Arctic Monkeys, and Franz Ferdinand among others. Now, The Vaccines are expanding their post-punk sound into more experimental territory, as evidenced by their more eclectic new album.

Back in 2002, Kelly Clarkson entered the national spotlight when she became the very first winner of American Idol. Armed with a powerful voice and down-to-earth sense of humor, she won over the hearts of millions of Americans, whose votes earned her the grand prize of a recording contract with RCA. With the exception of Carrie Underwood, Clarkson is by far the show’s most successful export, having stayed relevant all these years by releasing hit after hit. After a number of successful albums in the years following her Idol stint, Kelly Clarkson is back in 2015 with a new album called Piece By Piece, which features her hit single “Heartbeat Song.”

MisterWives is an indie pop band based in New York City. They have garnered a lot of buzz lately, and have opened for acts like Twenty One Pilots, Bleachers, and American Authors. They released their debut EP, Reflections, in 2014 on the New York indie label Photo Finish Records, followed by their first full-length record, Our Own House, in early 2015.

Formed in 1993, indie rock band Modest Mouse would grow to become one of the most successful acts of the 2000s. The band released a few albums before really hitting it big with their 2004 commercial breakthrough Good News For People Who Love Bad News. For their next album, 2007’s We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank, they recruited former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr to record with them. Marr eventually became a full member of the band, touring in support of the record, although he ultimately left shortly afterward to join The Cribs. Modest Mouse underwent a bit of a lull in activity after that, other than releasing an EP in 2009 and playing a few shows here and there. However, the band came back in full force in 2014, issuing the single “Lampshades On Fire” ahead of their long-awaited sixth album, Strangers to Ourselves. The new album is the band’s first full-length since ’07, but it is proving to have been worth the wait.

Twin Shadow is the stage name of Dominican-born singer George Lewis, Jr. In 2010 he released his debut album Forget, followed by another record calledConfess in 2012. Both albums received high praise from critics, with reviewers applauding his songwriting ability and ’80s-inspired sound, and eventually he earned spots touring with huge acts like The Strokes and Florence + The Machine. Twin Shadow dropped his third and latest album, Eclipse, on March 16.

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